Just finished A Prayer For Owen Meany - wow - what next?

[BumgrapesofWrath]

I have just finished A Prayer For Owen Meany. It's been a long time since I've read a book that I enjoyed, and made me feel, as much as this book did. Now it's time to start another book, but after the ending of Owen Meany, I'm worried my next read will be a huge disappointment. Can anyone recommend something that will be such a wonderful read as this one?

Nope

Really? I couldnt get through it. I was finding it a real slog. I should try again then?

It's my all time favourite book . Absolutely beautiful story.

Have you read any other John Irving. Recommend A Widow for One Year or Hotel New Hampshire.

What about The Corrections?

It's my all time favourite too!!
That ending...wow

APFOM is one of my favourite books and i've read it so many times now. It is just full of gems.
Doc's wife, i would give it another go if you've still got a copy, i'm not often so enthusiastic about a book.
Bumgrapesofwrath- It is such a bittersweet moment to finish a book you have been enjoying so much? what are a couple more of your favourites? maybe we can pinpoint something from that?

The first hundred or so pages I really couldn't get into it, but I'm so glad I perservered - as soon as I read the Christmas nativity part I was hooked. So definitely persevere thedoctorswife.

The ending was one of the best endings I've ever read in a novel (though not the happiest obviously). Last ending I enjoyed this much was when I read Catch-22, and now I think this book is on par with that.

Other books I have loved recently are
The Book Thief - Marcus Zuzak (a book has never made me cry as much as this one)
The Five People You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom
A Fraction of the Whole - Steve Toltz
The Gargoyle - Andrew Davidson
And I've read many Chuck Palahniuk books and I think they are great, but maybe a bit formulaic now I've read a few.
So when it comes to literature I think I've got varied tastes!

The Corrections is a book that I've seen recommended on this forum before, it is on my Amazon wishlist but never bitten the bullet and got it - maybe I should?

Am tempted with another John Irving, was thinking of The World According to Garp, would you recommend A Widow for One Year instead fruitstick?

I am very happily trundling through Nightingale Wood by Stella Gibbons, as good as Cold Comfort Farm.

Oh I loved that book. I didn't read anything for a while afterwards!

Well its obviousjust read it again! Which reminds me i think its time i did too. All his books are really good but O Meany is the favourite. Then probably Garp and Cider House rules. I remember the day before i was going off to Australia for a year my mum getting cross because i couldnt pack only read the book i had bought for flightCider house Rules, i had to read setting free the bears on flight and Hotel New Hampshire is great too

Brilliant book but I love John Irving (except for Setting Free the Bears, that was a bit meh). Can highly recommend The Cider House Rules ("Good night you kings of New England, you princes of Maine". Always make me tear up) and The World According to Garp.
Otherwise would recommend The Cloning of Joanna May (Fay Weldon), Oryx and Crake (margaret atwood) or The House of Spirits (Isabel Allende).
These are all books that everyone in the world should be forced to read (imho).

Right i'll give it another go. I've spent years trying to read the bbc's top 100 books but having dd slowed me right down. I've got catch 22 unread on the shelf too.

Ooh I love Owen Meany - just finished a book and was wondering what to read next. Think I'll have to get it down again.

Ive just finished Number 9 Dream by David Mitchell. Totally different ilk but a good read. Also liked A Widow for a Year

I was going to suggest The Grapes of Wrath then noticed your user name.

Don't bother reading any other Irving. After APFOM his other books will be disappointing. Although his characters are generally interesting, his books are rambling sagas and best avoided.

agree with Jean. Have read many others John Irving books, none compare

I think some people need to go and (re)read the Cider House Rules, I defy anyone not to love that book.
Number 9 Dream, another that people should be made to read by law. Or maybe that is slightly too dictatorial?

I'll 3rd Cider House Rules, I think he did his best work there, though Owen Meany was a very good read.

I would go for Widow for One Year of HNHampshire rather than Garp. I liked it but it's quite harsh, I felt. Actually tbat might be the wrong word The others are just much warmer.

Really want to read The House of Spirits. Been on my list for ages. Off to find it now

Owen Meany is a very hard act to follow! Would definitely agree that the only other John Irving book comparable is Cider House Rules - a beautiful, beautiful read.

Someone mentioned A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz - superb,wish he would hurry up and write another book!

I might try the Corrections too.

It depends how many Irving books you've read - if Owen Meany is your first then I reckon Garp, Widow for 1 Year, Hotel New Hampshire or Cider House Rules would all be good choices. Garp was my first Irving and I loved it so much I read it numerous times over 5 years - but I hated Meany because, by the time I read it, I had read too many Irving's in too short a time frame.